STEPS to Value Podcast

Episode #25: The Value of Listening: Pastoral Care & The Role of HIT

Ever since our earliest days, there has been a connection between the calling to heal the body and the calling to heal the spirit. Ancient texts speak of this connection. Buddha says “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” Proverbs 17:22 states “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” That ancient connection between medical care and spiritual care is still present today. One third of patients in a 2003 study wanted to be asked about their religious beliefs during a routine office visit. Two thirds felt that physicians should be aware of their religious or spiritual beliefs. As the digitization of healthcare transforms care & business models, how will it impact the processes of delivering spiritual care as well?

Welcome to STEPS to Value, a podcast that explores the intersection of people, processes & technology in healthcare as the industry moves towards a value-focused model. In this episode, we are going to look at a component of patient engagement rarely discussed, exploring the role of health information technology in the pastoral care patients and clinicians receive with Judi Painter, health IT industry veteran, long-time HIMSS volunteer, and recently ordained hospital chaplain.

This Episode's Promo:

HIMSS17 is the meeting place for all things health IT. Experience over 300 education programs, more than 1,200 vendors, hundreds of special programs, and limitless networking opportunities. Collaborate with HIMSS and thousands of colleagues worldwide as you work to positively transform health and lives through IT.

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This Episode’s Audience Ask:

So what impact do you think health IT has on the delivery of pastoral care to patients and providers? Send us your thoughts as a voice memo or email and we will play them on the air at the end of our next episode. You can send your comments to value@himss.org